Free music production, audio engineering, and podcasting for Sacramento youth.
Since 2018, DEPARTMENT OF SOUND has helped more than 10,000 young people make and release their own work.
10,000+ youth SINCE 2018
33+ schools
& community sites
2,500 youth last program year
100 percent free
Your donation is fully tax-deductible to the extent provided by section 501(c)(3) of the US Internal Revenue Service Code and is not given in exchange for goods or services. Our tax identification number is 83-3486258.
Every program is free, because the young people who need it most can't pay for it. Your gift puts a student in a cohort, a studio, and a room full of people who believe in them.
Why this work matters
Suicide is the second leading cause of death for U.S. youth ages 10 to 14.
CDC National Center for Health Statistics, 2023 data
1 in 3 U.S. high school students feels persistently sad or hopeless.
CDC Youth Risk Behavior Survey, 2025
58% of California teens in families below the poverty line report moderate to serious psychological distress.
UCLA Center for Health Policy Research, 2019 data
Young people who feel connected are less likely to struggle. That's what we build: a room where they belong, a trusted adult, and a finished track they're proud of.
building sound minds for the next generation.
“I ACTUALLY WANT TO BECOME A PRODUCER NOW. IF YOU OFFERED THESE WORKSHOPS EVERY DAY, I WOULD SERIOUSLY ATTEND EVERY DAY JUST TO LEARN MORE.”
TOMAS
6TH GRADE STUDENT
The 2025 Sound Business Summit drew 275 applicants for 92 seats and a 4.8 of 5 satisfaction rating. Read the recap.
SUPPORTED BY
NBA Foundation
